The following was a journal entry that I had to turn in for a class, and wrote with some intention of posting it here. I thought it would be relative to share.
I found my answer in the village. As I was walking home from school today, I knew which choice I was going to make. Over the last few days, I have been debating whether or not to drop my Cross-Cultural Creative Writing class. It would not transfer as anything I needed at Simpson, however it was one that struck my interest. Based on the course description, it seemed like it would be a great personal enrichment course, especially because I want to work in ministry, with a great chance of that being overseas. I could see how this course would help me to better communicate my experiences with others. My problem was that I was worried there would be too much work involved that would keep me from relationships here; and since it was not count as anything towards graduating, I was debating the cost. Originally I had signed up for Luganda 1 with the premise that I would drop it if my family spoke a lot of English, because I wanted to have minimal homework and maximum relationship time. Apprehensively, I dropped Luganda but added the writing class. In the beginning, it sounded like it wouldn't be that much work. Upon receiving the first few assignments, however, I wasn't sure that would be the case. The frustrating thing is that, because of circumstances unknown, our first class session isn't until after the drop-class deadline. This left me with having to make a decision before ever even attending a class.
But what I contemplated on my walk home today (or, on the 14th) was a prior realization from a week ago. I realized that since my primary love language is quality time, while two of my top strengths from a strengthsfinder test are input and learner, I am in a constant battle with myself for how I spend my time! On that walk home, I crossed paths with Edith, who remembered my name and asked how I was doing. (I met her last week on one of my walks and we walked part way to school together; she works in the dining hall.) Then, the kids on the corner who always run to see me called out my second name here, "Muzungo! Muzungo!" (which means white person, by the way) and were just as excited to see me as I them. In that moment, I made the decision to choose relationship over input; because when all is said and done, building relationships and experiencing the culture is an experience I can never have again.
Yesterday, I officially dropped the Creative Writing class. On my way home, I knew I had made the right choice. Susan (my sister's friend who is often at the house) passed by me on a boda boda (the motorcycle taxis) and stopped and said hi, right before the corner house with all the kids who shouted to say hi to me (well, actually they say 'bye' because I think that's all they know haha), and just after I met up with my cousin David who was walking home from work and we walked halfway home together. It was absolutely wonderful!
I found my answer in the village. As I was walking home from school today, I knew which choice I was going to make. Over the last few days, I have been debating whether or not to drop my Cross-Cultural Creative Writing class. It would not transfer as anything I needed at Simpson, however it was one that struck my interest. Based on the course description, it seemed like it would be a great personal enrichment course, especially because I want to work in ministry, with a great chance of that being overseas. I could see how this course would help me to better communicate my experiences with others. My problem was that I was worried there would be too much work involved that would keep me from relationships here; and since it was not count as anything towards graduating, I was debating the cost. Originally I had signed up for Luganda 1 with the premise that I would drop it if my family spoke a lot of English, because I wanted to have minimal homework and maximum relationship time. Apprehensively, I dropped Luganda but added the writing class. In the beginning, it sounded like it wouldn't be that much work. Upon receiving the first few assignments, however, I wasn't sure that would be the case. The frustrating thing is that, because of circumstances unknown, our first class session isn't until after the drop-class deadline. This left me with having to make a decision before ever even attending a class.
But what I contemplated on my walk home today (or, on the 14th) was a prior realization from a week ago. I realized that since my primary love language is quality time, while two of my top strengths from a strengthsfinder test are input and learner, I am in a constant battle with myself for how I spend my time! On that walk home, I crossed paths with Edith, who remembered my name and asked how I was doing. (I met her last week on one of my walks and we walked part way to school together; she works in the dining hall.) Then, the kids on the corner who always run to see me called out my second name here, "Muzungo! Muzungo!" (which means white person, by the way) and were just as excited to see me as I them. In that moment, I made the decision to choose relationship over input; because when all is said and done, building relationships and experiencing the culture is an experience I can never have again.
Yesterday, I officially dropped the Creative Writing class. On my way home, I knew I had made the right choice. Susan (my sister's friend who is often at the house) passed by me on a boda boda (the motorcycle taxis) and stopped and said hi, right before the corner house with all the kids who shouted to say hi to me (well, actually they say 'bye' because I think that's all they know haha), and just after I met up with my cousin David who was walking home from work and we walked halfway home together. It was absolutely wonderful!
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